Internal-combustion engine



Jan. 17, 1928. I 1,656,538

s. SMITH INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINE Filed July 27. 1926 A g lnwrqor w W f Sawfordl. 71 7? g yfizwmim.

/% W Attorney Patented Jan. 17, "1928.

UNITED STATES PATENT ()FFICE.

mTERNAL-COMBUSTION ENGINE.

Application filed July 27,

plurality of rotors simultaneously operated by an expansion of exploded gases.

Briefi the invention comprises a casing provide with four separate explosive chambers in each of which is located a rotor, the rotor being in the form of a toothed gear and the teeth of the several gears being in intermeshing relation at predetermined points, whereby all of the teeth are permitted to act as pistons extending into the inter-- vening pockets or spaces between the teeth, which also act as gas receiving and conducting cylinders.

The features and advantages accompanying the improved structure will become aparent from the following description and rawings.

In the drawings Figure 1 is a top plan view of a structure constructed in accordance with the present invention,

Fig. 2 is a side view of the casing with one of the half-sections removed to expose the internal construction,

F ig. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary view of a portion of one of the casing sections showing a spark plug associated therewith.

In the drawings, the reference character 1 designates the casing which is composed of a pair of duplicate half sections bolted or otherwise detachabl fastened together. The inner opposed aces of these sections are recessed to provide a plurality of communicating compartments for the rotary gears 2, 3, 4 and 5. All of the gears are keyed to shafts 6 and they rotate in the directions indicated by the arrows 7.

The gear teeth are represented by the reference characters 8 and the gas pockets b the numerals 9. The teeth are preferably of a configuration shown and have flat outer ends in fluid-tight rotary contact with the peripheral ortions of the chambers. Moreover, the si e faces of the gears are in fluid-tight contact with the side walls of the chambers.

The remaining reference characters are in the form of main letters and duplicate letters embodying distinguishing primes. The reference characters 9 and g represent one pair of exhaust ports, the reference p and p represent another pair of exhaust 1926. Serial N0. 125,264.

ports. All of these ports are located adjacent the peripheral portions of the casing. Then there are two additional exhaust ports represented by the reference characters at and u. Adjacent these exhaust ports are indicated intake ports a and a. The spark plug openings into which the spark plugs 10 are tapped are represented by the reference characters I) and b.

The reference characters (1, c, e, f, g, h, i, is, Z, m and n represent difierent positions in which the gears are represented to explain the serial operation. The teeth 0?, 0 are shown approaching the intake ports a and a, the teeth cooperating with the port a being designated by d, c, and e. In this initial position, these teeth cooperate to produce a suction which draws in the gas from the carburetor. The carburetor is connected with the port a and a. through the medium of suitable pipes.

It will be seen that a in the second position spaces a and 8 contain gas at atmospheric pressure by the spaces 9 and g and /L and 71 contain gas which has been slightly compressed by the teeth i and z".

In the spaces j and j the gas hasbeen isolated and is fully compressed and is about to pass under the spark plugs b and b, where it is ignited. The gas in the spaces is and Jr has been ignited and is exerting a pressure tending to force the teeth Z and l out of these spaces. The pressure in the spaces m and m has been partially reduced, owing to the partial displacement of the teeth 11. and 12. but pressure will still be exerted until a full displacement is accomplished. The spaces oand 0 have been isolated, and the only pressure remaining is the normal pressure after a full displacement of a tooth, and this will be allowed to esca e when the exhaust openings are reac ied. In the spaces 7', r, s, 8, burnt gases still remain, but simply at atmospheric pressure.

As each space reaches a position corresponding to that of the spaces 5 and t, the burnt gases will be fully expelled by the teeth cl and (1 through the main exhaust.

openings at and u. The ignition will consist in the source of supply of the battery, a vibrator coil and spark plug, no timing mechanism being necessary.

In the arrangement explained, it will be tion, combined with concentration of power,.

continuity of action, and new 'mode and principle of operation. 1

It is believed that by considering the description in connection with the drawings, persons familiar with inventions of this class will be able to obtain a clear under-' standing of the invention. Therefore, a more lengthy description is thought unnecessary.

While the preferred embodiment of the invention has been shown and described, it is to be understood that minor changes coming within the field of invention claimed may be resorted to if desired.

-Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new is In an engine structure of the class described, a casing provided with two pairs of rotor compartments, two sets of rotors in said compartments for rotation, each rotor comprising a gear, the teeth of which have their outer ends fiat for contact with the peripheral portion of the complemental compartment, the spaces between the teeth constituting gas receiving and conveying pockets, intake ports in the casing cooperating with the gears at a point where certain of the teeth are in intermeshing relation, ignition holes located in the casing at points where certain other of the sets of gears again come into mesh, and exhaust ports in the casing at points where the teeth of the different gears are entirely disengaged.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature.

SANFORD L. SMITH. 

